The BBC has reported that Generation Alpha is increasingly reliant on digital platforms like YouTube to access children’s programming, prompting calls from leading figures for a £100 million fund to support UK children’s content. Former presenters of the iconic show Blue Peter, including Anthea Turner and Konnie Huq, urged the UK government to intervene as traditional broadcasters tighten their grip on children’s programming amid fierce competition from streaming and social media. The move comes at a time when significant concerns are rising about the suitability of content available to children online, reports BritPanorama.
Turner, who graced Blue Peter from 1992 to 1994, emphasized that with the decline in dedicated children’s programming on broadcast television, it is imperative for platforms like Netflix and YouTube to contribute to a fund aimed at producing quality content for UK children. She stated, “The BBC is almost the last bastion of children’s TV, but it’s a battle to get young people’s eyes on their programmes.”
According to the Children’s Media Foundation, YouTube has become the primary viewing platform for Generation Alpha, which raises concerns over exposure to “age-inappropriate content.” Ofcom statistics reveal that funding for UK children’s programmes has plummeted by 52% over the past two decades, while the viewership of live-streamed videos has surged, with 66% of children aged 3 to 17 now engaging predominantly with such content.
The number of new UK-originated children’s programmes has fallen to 518, the lowest in a decade, while broadcast television viewing among children decreased by 11% last year. In an effort to adapt to changing viewing habits, ITV has closed its dedicated CITV channel, shifting content to ITVX, and Sky Kids plans to reduce original programming in favor of acquired shows.
Moreover, the BBC is transitioning its CBBC channel to an online-only format, leaving programmes like Blue Peter sometimes reaching just a few thousand television viewers. “Without urgent interventions and support for UK-made content, we risk a generation growing up disconnected from their own identity,” Patricia Hidalgo, BBC’s director of Children and Education, warned.
The BBC’s initiatives to foster UK-produced content face hurdles, notably financing for expensive animation projects without international partnerships. A potential £100 million fund would welcome submissions from independent producers and commercial platforms to create content tailored to British children.
Concerns Over YouTube Content
Content on YouTube has raised alarms regarding its appropriateness for children. Instances of videos designed for young audiences include inappropriate themes from popular culture, and a recent report highlighted the circulation of disturbing content linked to the Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise. Furthermore, about only 20% of material children watch on YouTube is produced in the UK.
Huq, who served as Blue Peter’s longest tenured female presenter, expressed support for a content levy but stressed its ineffectiveness if children are unaware of the quality content available. She stated, “You can put money into kids’ programming, but if they are not seeing it and watching it, it doesn’t help them become intelligent and bright.”
The need for increased visibility and quality in children’s programming is echoed by Ofcom’s recommendations for better promotion of UK content on platforms like YouTube, where competition is fierce. Although the BBC’s Blue Peter has been rejuvenated with a new informal format, it is vying for attention against major YouTube entities like CoComelon, which boasts 197 million subscribers, compared to Blue Peter’s 65,000.
Amid increasing scrutiny, UK ministers expressed support for initiatives that would ensure quality children’s content receives the necessary visibility. The Culture Secretary stated, “If we need to regulate, we will. But we would prefer industry to come together to move on this and move quickly.”
As stakeholders continue to navigate the future of children’s programming, the Education Department maintains its commitment to enhancing access to high-quality, UK-produced content for children, aiming to enrich their lives while addressing the challenges raised by digital media.
